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Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Spinal injury ((Healing vibes for JB2)) Baby Aspirin?

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    • Kafrn
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        This morning as I was  changing the bunnies food and water I noticed that JB2 wasnt moving at all, he was just sitting there. He was sitting normally but something didnt seem right. Everyone else rushed over to their food and he just sat there facing the opposite direction, and stretched his neck around to see what I was doing. I got down on his level to have a look at what was wrong, and he seems to have some kind of pinch in his nerve or something with his spine which is making him not want to move.

        Its not broken directly but it could have a crack, a pulled muscle, or a pinched nerve. Originally I thought he was paralysed from the neck down but as I watched him for awhile he just doesnt WANT to move.  He still has control over his full body though.   I got our dog carrier all set up for him and put it infront of him and he gradually moved into it.

        Once in there, on 10cm thick of straw, he sat in the same position, and laid his head on the top of the straw. He seems very comfortable like that. He is able to make himself comfortable. He is eating and drinking which is good too.

        I then called one of our local vet clinics and talked to them about what was going on. They said it sounds like a spinal injury and he should go in straight away. Then they told me they dindt have any appointments available today. So I called our other Vet clinic and they said to keep him warm, give him Metacam or Baby aspirin, and see how he goes overnight tonight.

        I still wanted another opinion so lastly I called our local rabbit lady and asked her opinion. She told me the same as the para hills vet. She said to fill a coke bottle with warm water for him to use as a hot water bottle and to keep him warm, give him baby aspirin or metacam for the pain, keep his fluids up, and see how he goes over the next 24 hours.

        I then called the Semaphore vet (bad experiences with Stu in the past) and asked the vet there if I could organise somehow to get hold of some metacam as he is the closest to my work, and he couldnt give me metacam but he suggested that it may be best if we euthanise (surprise surprise)

        I need some reassurance here. Im having a tug of war. I dont want to take him to the vet immediately because any movement could make it worse. At the same time I feel bad that no one has seen him even though 2 bunny experts ahve said let him rest for at least 24 hours.  Any advice would be greatly appreciated.

        Also, if anyone has had any experience with baby aspirin, or knows anything about it could you please let me know!!! Ive been reading about it all morning and how wonderful it is for pain in bunnies but I am concerned about the blood thinning effects. Has anyone used it for rabbits? with success? (Ive never heard of it before)


      • Kafrn
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          I found this, this is what all the vets etc think it is, and if they move him it could make it worse and he could lose function of organs etc…

          Symptoms of spinal injury or bruised spine, without a complete break in the spinal cord

          •Trouble moving around, or moves with difficulty
          •Unusual curvature of the back due to tenderness and favoring of the back muscles
          •Can still use or feel the hind legs
          •Can still poo or pee by itself
          •Sometimes an incomplete spinal injury can result in temporary paralysis caused by swelling of the soft tissues putting pressure on the cord


        • MimzMum
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            Oh Kafrn I’m so sorry to hear this news. I don’t know about giving baby aspirin as even with metacam you want to be careful not to aggravate their stomachs, and our medicines can do more harm than good. Is he eating or drinking at all? Are all his legs affected or is he dragging himself?
            I’ll be sending vibes your way. ((((((((JB2)))))))) I wish I could be more helpful. Is there no vet where you are that would come see him instead?


          • Kokaneeandkahlua
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              Oh that really stinks that no one can see him strait away!! Were you able to book a later appointment? How is he doing now?

              I’ve also never heard of baby aspirin for rabbits or dosing…did the vet at least let you know what dose to give? I’m sure others will know if it’s ok or not to give-I’ve never heard of it though. Dogs can take aspirin I believe so that sounds right. Blood thinning would be on prolonged doses so I wouldn’t worry about it-However now that I say that, if JB2 is having a stroke -rather than a spinal issue, that would most certainly make it worse. So my jury is out…perhaps if he’s eating and lookis comfortable I’d skip and if he’s really looking like he’s in pain I’d give it.

              {{{{JB2}}}} healing vibes Please keep us posted


            • bunnyfriend
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                Oh my goodness I am so sorry, poor JB2. My vet has told me that baby aspirin is too risky/harsh on rabbits, of course she might have it wrong though, she said it was okay to use on our elderly dog but even then she wanted us to be careful. Is it possible for you to get Metacam?


              • Kafrn
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                  Thank you for your responses. I do have a vet appointment for tomorrow. They want me to call them before I bring him in to let them know how he is going.
                  I just skipped work for an hour to go home and check him out. He is not stressed. He is still sitting in the same position. He looks very comfortable. My vet told me that at 1.5kg he could handle an 80mg aspirin. Vet said that this would also help with any swelling or inflammation at the site of the injury and it was important that he got it as soon as possible. I was still worried so I gave him 50mg in a tablespoon of babyfood. Tonight when I get home if he looks ok I guess I will give him the other 30mg *worried* Im so paranoid about what happened with Stu. Im trying to tread very carefully for JB2.
                  I just didnt want to overdose him on it all at once. He at the babyfood quite happily. He wont move anything below his shoulders but he is keeping balance in a crouching position so thats better than being flopped on the floor. He is pooing which means his organs are not damaged. I couldnt see any wee yet. His poos are dry but now that he has had baby food I will get some more fluids into him tonight. I may also be able to get metacam tonight. I just dont have access to any today.


                • MimzMum
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                    That’s good that he’s doing well on the smaller amount of aspirin. Yes reducing the swelling is important. There may actually be little else to be done till he’s seen anyway. Sometimes apparently bunnies with spinal injury will still pee and poop, they just may need special cleaning for their bums.
                    I don’t know if it would be safe to mix the aspirin with the metacam since I don’t know how long the baby aspirin works for. But it’s good that you’ll be able to get some for him.
                    Lots of prayers coming your way too. I know it’s scary and I’m really hoping it’s just a pinched nerve or something simple to fix. I’m thinking of you. ((((((((((((((((((((((hugs))))))))))))))))))))

                    EDIT TO ADD: Of course you don’t want to go handling/washing him till he’s been seen and you’ve assessed the damage, if any. The less movement he has (food/water within easy reach, maybe towels to potty on) the less chance the condition will worsen.


                  • jerseygirl
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                      :'( Poor baby!

                      I have heard about giving baby aspirin before but in cases where you can’t get anything else. It’s probably not something people want to be giving without vet advice. In this instance, that has been the case on both counts.

                      Personally, I believe a one off dose would help rather then hinder because pain management is so important. The only worry I would have is if pain med relieved them so much that they felt they could move about and that caused more inflammation. Your giving a lower dose was prob wise. Enough to take edge of pain.

                      I wonder if he could have gotten a spider bite or something?

                      I wonder if taking his temp would be wise or not? It could cause him too move wrong. What other ways can you check if temp is on the rise or falling? Feeling the ears and looking at mouth tissue? Anyone know???

                      I hope you see some improvement in him. Mega vibes {{{{{JB2}}}}}


                    • Sarita
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                        I have done baby aspirin in the past so it is perfectly okay in a pinch to use this. Will it help with a spinal injury, who know…please keep us updated.


                      • jerseygirl
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                          I visited tonight and Kafrn gave me the ok to update here. He actually showed a great improvement! He seemed bright, came forward in his carrier when we approached. Tucked into some food when it was offered. Katharine has said he was not moving at all earlier in the day so this change was good to see.
                          We got him out and put him on the ground to see how he was moving. He hopped about pretty well. He did show a bit of unsteadiness when he tried to groom himself though. Back in his carrier he seemed a bit quieter but he was still moving about.

                          Kafrn said he was sulking because she had put a coat on him. She said Stubob did the same thing the 1st time she wore one. lol
                          I think she was right because he was acting better again by the time I left. I hope the morning brings even more improvement.


                        • Sarita
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                            So did she discover what is wrong with him?


                          • jerseygirl
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                              No, that’s still not known. The vets advice was to keep him home and monitor for a day. We’re not sure if the med had helped get him moving or not. Kafrn tells me it is part anti-inflammatory so maybe that helped some? I wonder if there was swelling on the spine that it might have reduced some and allowed movement again?


                            • bunnyfriend
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                                I hope somebody figures out what it is soon!


                              • Kafrn
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                                  Hi everyone! Thanks Jerse for updting that for me last night
                                  This morning JB2 is much better. He is walking around and can balance normally. He even managed to take off his jacket infront of my eyes. Clever bunny. he is feeling much better.
                                  Spoke to vet on the phone this afternoon. She said it sounds like spinal bruising, and to keep him confined for a week to properl heal. Aspirin once a day for the next 3 days, and bring him in if he starts to go downhill again.

                                  Im so happy hes doing so much better! Cant wait to get home and see him xxxxxx


                                • Kokaneeandkahlua
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                                    Awesome news!! Think if he’s undressing himself he must be on the mend!
                                    Do they have any idea how i could have happened? Could he have fallen or gotten caught in something?


                                  • MimzMum
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                                      Oh Kafrn I am so glad to come in and see this brighter update! Hopefully it’s just something transitory and he’ll be all better soon!
                                      Continued vibes and prayers for healing from us. ((((((((((((((((((((JB2))))))))))))))))))


                                    • LittlePuffyTail
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                                        I’m glad to hear he’s improving!!!

                                        (((((((JB2))))))))


                                      • BinkyBunny
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                                          I’m just getting caught up and I”m so glad there seems to be happy ending. Whew!

                                          Sending continued healing vibes.

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                                      Forum HOUSE RABBIT Q & A Spinal injury ((Healing vibes for JB2)) Baby Aspirin?